In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the primary similarities and differences between honed and polished stone finishes. Two of your most common choices available for finishing various granite, marble and other countertops, these finishes are similar in some ways – but also have several distinct differences that often dictate which you should choose for any countertop installation or remodel.
At Creative Granite & Design, we’re happy to offer a wide range of stone countertop options, from granite countertops to marble, quartz and many others – as well as several finishing choices and a wide range of related solutions. In today’s part two of our series, we’ll go over one more major factor that helps differentiate these two finish types for many buyers, plus some basics on when you should be looking at each of them.
Matching Your Lifestyle
When you’re evaluating the factors we went over in part one and looking to make your choice between honed and polished stone finishes, one of the key variables to keep in mind is your general lifestyle where the countertops are concerned. Are you the sort who wants everything in your home to be shiny and pristine at all times? You should go for the polished look – as long as you have the time and patience to maintain it.
On the other hand, do you prefer limited maintenance and low scratching or etching risks? In this case, you’re likely more interested in the honed finish, especially for commonly-used areas.
Our next two sections will go over some factors that often dictate the purchase of one finish or the other; we’ll use marble as our test example for those sections.
Honed Marble Factors
As we noted above and in part one, honed marble (or other stone finishes) is a matte finish. This means it resists scratching, etching and other damage – such events aren’t impossible, to be clear, but they’re less common and less noticeable when they do take place.
At the same time, beware that honed marble is prone to stain risks. Any spills or liquids must be cleaned right away. Luckily, though, matte surfaces are not slippery when wet, meaning they are not slip risks and may even be used for flooring in some cases. Honed surfaces are great for high-traffic areas throughout the home.
Polished Marble Factors
Polished marble is much better than honed marble when it comes to stain prevention, largely due to its coating that protects it from these risks. On the flip side, though, it scratches or etches much more easily, and these marks will show up if they’re present – for this reason, the polished finish is rarely used for flooring and less common in high-traffic areas. It’s also known to be slippery when wet.
At the same time, the polished finish exudes class. It’s the top choice for those who prioritize aesthetics and have the time to regularly maintain the surface.
For more on honed versus polished stone finishes, or to learn about any of our granite, quartz or other custom countertops, speak to the staff at Creative Granite & Design today.
